Cup holder

ABSTRACT

A cup holder includes a holder body, a supporting member having a retained end and a swinging end, a first retaining member inhibiting the supporting member from moving upward, a first urging member urging the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end upward, a second retaining member disposed movably to the first retaining member in an up/down direction, and a second urging member urging the second retaining member upward. The supporting member&#39;s swinging end supports a container. Upon being pressed by the retained end of the supporting member, the second retaining member descends, thereby enabling the swinging end of the supporting member to swing in an up/down direction. Thus, a user can take a constricted container out of the cup holder without ever interfering the container&#39;s constriction with the supporting member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cup holder, which is disposed in automotive passenger rooms. More specifically, it relates to a cup holder, which enables a user to take in and take out even containers with special or distinctive shapes with ease.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cup holders have been used widely in order to hold beverage containers stably in automobiles. However, beverage containers have various sizes. Hence, a variety of devices, such as a supporting member which is disposed so that it can protrude into a cup holder, have been invented in order to stably hold containers whose sizes vary. For example, the supporting member is disposed swingably to hold the side surface of container.

However, when a cup holder provided with such a supporting member holds a bottle, which has a constricted part in the intermediate portion in the up/down or height direction thereof, the supporting member might get stuck with the constricted part so that it has become difficult for a user to remove the bottle from the cup holder. It is because, as set forth in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2001-253287, the supporting member is subjected to a component force, which results from a force for removing the bottle upward and swings the supporting member upward about the swing shaft. However, the supporting member is usually less likely to swing upward beyond the horizontally-disposed position. As a result, the supporting member has been pressed to contact with the bottle.

Accordingly, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2001-253287 discloses to configure the shape of the leading end surface of a support member so that the force for removing a bottle results in a downward component force, which acts onto the supporting member to swing it downward about the swing shaft. Consequently, the supporting member swings to direct the leading end downward so that the leading end moves in the direction away from the bottle. Therefore, a user can remove the bottle.

Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2005-349959 discloses a conventional cup holder being provided with a container-holding body, which is disposed protractibly and retractably in and out of the side surface of a container-accommodating member. Specifically, the conventional cup holder comprises a holder body, a sliding supporting member, and a swinging supporting member. The sliding supporting member is disposed slidably to the outside wall surface of the holder body. The swinging supporting member is disposed swingably to the sliding supporting member. Accordingly, even when the conventional cup holder holds a bottle having a constricted part, upon taking the bottle in and taking it out of the cup holder, the swinging supporting member swings and additionally the sliding supporting member comes out of and goes in the outside wall surface of the holder body. Consequently, a user can take in and out the bottle smoothly without being troubled by the drawback that the swinging supporting member has got stuck with the bottle.

In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-263170 discloses another conventional cup holder. This conventional cup holder comprises a holder body, a supporting member, and a retaining member. The supporting member can be locked at a retreated position. The retaining member, which retains the supporting member, can be detached from the holder body. The retaining member of this conventional cup holder is provided with a base (i.e., housing). The supporting member (i.e., shaft and flap) is installed swingably to the base of the retaining member. The supporting member swings relatively to the base to move between an advanced position (i.e., in-service position) and the retreated position (i.e., out-of-service position). Moreover, the supporting member is locked to the base when it is located at the advanced position and at the retreated position. In addition, the base of the retaining member is installed detachably to the holder body. When the retaining member is held to the holder body and the supporting member is located at the retreated position, this conventional cup holder can accommodate a larger-size container in an accommodation dent of the holder body. On the other hand, when the retaining member is detached from the holder body, this conventional cup holder can accommodate a much-larger-size container in the accommodation dent of the holder body.

In the conventional cup holder disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2001-253287, the supporting member might have got stuck with a bottle depending on the shape of constricted part. However, it is not possible to say that changing the shape of the supporting member's leading end surface in dependent upon the shape of container's constricted part is a universal technique. Moreover, since the conventional cup holder disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2005-349959 comprises the sliding supporting member, which protrudes outward, it might cause a drawback in view of degrading the loadable space of its own in vehicle.

In the conventional cup holder disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-263170, the supporting member is exposed even when it is located at the retreated position. Accordingly, when putting a large-size container in the accommodation dent of the conventional cup holder, the container might have contacted with the exposed supporting member, which is locked at the retreated position. When the large-size container applies a strong pressing force to the supporting member, the supporting member, which has been subjected to a large load, might have been deformed. Moreover, even when removing the retaining member from the holder body, a certain external force might act to deform the supporting member because the exposed supporting member is locked at the retreated position.

In addition, the conventional cup holder disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 9-263170, further comprises a tongue-shaped tip and a cam, which are disposed to lock the supporting member at the retreated position. One of the tongue-shaped tip and cam is fastened, and the other one of them moves as the supporting member swings. In the conventional cup holder, the tongue-shaped tip and cam engage with each other to lock the supporting member at the retreated position and at the advanced position selectively. Thus, when moving the supporting member from the retreated position to the advanced position, or vice versa, the conventional cup folder requires the following troublesome operations, that is, to swing the supporting member while unlocking the supporting member, which is locked at the retreated position and then to lock the supporting member at the advanced position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in view of the aforementioned circumstances. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cup holder, which comprises a novel mechanism that differs from conventional ones, thereby enabling a user to smoothly taken in and take out containers even having a constricted part.

Moreover, it is another object of the present invention to provide a cup holder, which makes it possible to accommodate large-size containers therein, and which makes it possible to readily move a supporting member from a retreated position to an advanced position, or vice versa, without ever deforming the supporting member.

A cup holder according to the present invention solves the aforementioned problems, and comprises:

a holder body having a top surface provided with an opening through which a container comes in and comes out, a bottom surface, and an inner wall surface, the top surface, the bottom surface and the inner wall surface demarcating an accommodation dent which accommodates the container therein;

a first retaining member disposed in the holder body; and

a supporting member having a retained end, which is disposed swingably to the first retaining member, and a swinging end, which is disposed on an opposite side with respect the retained end, the supporting member for supporting a side surface of the container with the swinging end;

the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body and the swinging end of the supporting member supporting the container;

the cup holder further comprises:

a first urging member accumulating an urging force as the supporting member, which has been positioned substantially horizontally, swings to direct the swinging end downward, and the first urging member urging the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end upward by the accumulated urging force;

a second retaining member disposed movably to the first retaining member in an up/down direction, and having a top surface which contacts with the retained end of the supporting member; and

a second urging member urging the second retaining member upward;

the second retaining member descending upon being pressed by the retained end of the supporting member, thereby enabling the swinging end of the supporting member to swing in an up/down direction.

In the present cup holder, when taking a bottle provided with a constricted part out of the accommodation dent of the holder body, the swinging end of the supporting member tries to move upward as the bottle moves upward. Then, a top surface of the supporting member contacts with the first retaining member. Upon the contact, the retained end of the supporting member tries to swing downward about the contact point between the supporting member and the first retaining member, but the swinging end thereof tries to swing upward thereabout. In this instance, note that the retained end of the supporting member contacts with the second retaining member. Accordingly, the descending second retaining member enables the retained end of the supporting member to swing downward. Consequently, the supporting member swings to direct the swinging end upward. Thus, the swinging end of the supporting member moves in such a direction that it separates away from the bottle. Therefore, the present cup holder enables a user to take the bottle out of the accommodation dent of the holder body without letting the supporting member interfere with the constricted part of the bottle.

Moreover, when designing the present cup holder so as to make the supporting member swing over a greater distance to direct the swinging end more upward, a user can take variously-shaped containers out of the present cup holder with ease.

In addition, since the present cup holder is not provided with such a member that protrudes outward from the holder body, it is possible to make the present cup holder more compact. Hence, the present cup holder can contribute to satisfying the ever increasing space-saving requirements of automobile component parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of its advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed specification, all of which forms a part of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective diagram for illustrating a component arrangement of a cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective diagram for illustrating a component arrangement of a supporting member, a first retaining member and a second retaining member, which make the cup holder according to Example No. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 1 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is fitting a bottle thereinto.

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 1 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user has completed fitting a bottle thereinto.

FIG. 5 is still another cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 1 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is taking a bottle out thereof.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective diagram for illustrating a component arrangement of a supporting member, a first retaining member and a second retaining member, which make a cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram for illustrating the cup holder according to Example No. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 2 and for illustrating an action thereof when it is put in a neutral position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 2 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is fitting a bottle thereinto.

FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 2 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is taking a bottle out thereof.

FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram for illustrating a supporting member, which makes a cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 and for illustrating an action thereof when it is put in a neutral position.

FIG. 13 is a front diagram for illustrating guide grooves which are provided in one of the sides of a first retaining member, which makes a cup holder according to Example No. 3.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is fitting a bottle thereinto.

FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional diagram for showing a major part of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 and for illustrating an action thereof when a user is taking a bottle out thereof.

FIG. 16 is a perspective diagram for illustrating a cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective diagram for illustrating major component parts, which make the cup holder according to Example No. 4.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram for illustrating one of the actions of the cup holder according to Example No. 4.

FIG. 19 is another schematic diagram for illustrating another one of the actions of the cup holder according to Example No. 4.

FIG. 20 is still another schematic diagram for illustrating still another one of the actions of the cup holder according to Example No. 4.

FIG. 21 is a further schematic diagram for illustrating further one of the actions of the cup holder according to Example No. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Having generally described the present invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to the specific preferred embodiments which are provided herein for the purpose of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

(1) One of the preferred embodiments of the present cup holder can be constructed so that the supporting member further has a swing shaft to which the first urging member is disposed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder, when a user fits a container into the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder boy, the bottom of the container presses the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end downward. In this instance, the first urging member accumulates an urging force therein. When the user fits the container much deeper into the accommodation dent, the swinging end of the supporting member comes off from the bottom of the container. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the first urging member swings the supporting member to direct the swinging end upward. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container.

When the bottom of the container reaches the bottom of the accommodation dent, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body and the swinging end of the supporting member support the container stably. Since the first urging member urges the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end upward, the supporting member can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder can stably hold containers, which have various diameters.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end of the supporting member. Then, the supporting member's top surface contacts with the first retaining member. Accordingly, the contact point between the supporting member and the first retaining member makes a fulcrum about which the swinging end of the supporting member tries to swing upward and the retained end thereof tries to swing downward. Note that, in this instance, the retained end of the supporting member contacts with the second retaining member, which is disposed to the first retaining member movably in an up/down direction. Consequently, the retained end of the supporting member presses the second retaining member downward against the upward urging force of the second urging member. As a result, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction (that is, upward). Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member.

On this occasion, note that, since the retained end of the supporting member presses the second retaining member downward, the second retaining member moves downward so that the second urging member accumulates an urging force therein. Accordingly, after the user has pulled the constricted container out of the present cup holder, the thus accumulated urging force of the second urging member swings the supporting member to direct the retained end upward. Consequently, the supporting member is put in a substantially horizontal position, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the present cup holder.

(2) Moreover, another one of the preferred embodiments of the present cup holder can be constructed so that the supporting member further has a shaft element, which protrudes from the retained end perpendicularly with respect to the tangent of the swinging direction of the supporting member three-dimensionally; the first retaining member has a guide groove, which extends in an up/down direction; the shaft element of the supporting member engages with the guide groove of the first retaining member, thereby disposing the supporting member to the first retaining member swingably and movably in an up/down direction; and the second urging member doubles as the first urging member.

In the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder, when a user fits a container into the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder boy, the bottom of the container presses the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end downward. In this instance, the shaft element of the supporting member descends within the guide groove of the first retaining member, and accordingly the retained end presses the second retaining member. Then, the second retaining member descends, and consequently the second urging member accumulates an urging force therein as the second retaining member descends. When the user fits the container much deeper into the accommodation dent, the swinging end of the supporting member comes off from the bottom of the container. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the second urging member raises the second retaining member, and the supporting member tries to swing and direct the swinging end upward as the urging force raises the second retaining member. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container.

When the bottom of the container reaches the bottom of the accommodation dent, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body and the swinging end of the supporting member support the container stably. Since the second urging member urges the supporting member by way of the second retaining member so as to swing and direct the swinging end upward, the supporting member can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder can stably hold containers, which have various diameters.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end of the supporting member. Then, the supporting member's top surface contacts with the first retaining member. Accordingly, the contact point between the supporting member and the first retaining member makes a fulcrum about which the swinging end of the supporting member tries to swing upward and the retained end thereof tries to swing downward. Note that, in this instance, the guide groove of the first retaining member guides the shaft element of the supporting member to move downward, thereby enabling the retained end of the supporting member to swing downward and enabling the swinging end thereof to swing upward. Consequently, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction (that is, upward). Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member.

On this occasion, note that, since the retained end of the supporting member presses the second retaining member downward, the second retaining member moves downward so that the second urging member accumulates an urging force therein. Accordingly, after the user has pulled the constricted container out of the present cup holder, the thus accumulated urging force of the second urging member swings the supporting member to direct the retained end upward. Consequently, the supporting member is put in a substantially horizontal position, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the present cup holder.

(3) Moreover, still another one of the preferred embodiments of the present cup holder can be constructed so that the supporting member further has a first shaft element, which protrudes from the retained end perpendicularly with respect to the tangent of the swinging direction of the supporting member three-dimensionally, and a second shaft element, which is disposed closer to the swinging end than the first shaft element is disposed and which protrudes parallelly to the first shaft element; and the first retaining member has a first groove for guiding the second shaft element of the supporting member, first groove which extends as an arc shape about the first shaft element of the supporting member when the supporting member is positioned substantially horizontally, and a second groove for guiding the first shaft element of the supporting member, second groove which extends as an arc shape about the second shaft element of the supporting member when the supporting member is positioned substantially horizontally; and the second urging member doubles as the first urging member.

In the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder, when a user fits a container into the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder boy, the bottom of the container presses the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end downward. In this instance, the first guide groove of the first retaining member guides the second shaft element of the supporting member, thereby enabling the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end downward. As the swinging end of the supporting member is directed upward, the retained end thereof presses the second retaining member downward. Then, the second retaining member descends. As the second retaining member descends, the second urging member accumulates an urging force therein. When the user fits the container much deeper into the accommodation dent, the swinging end of the supporting member comes off from the bottom of the container. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the second urging member raises the second retaining member. As the second retaining member ascends, the first guide groove of the first retaining member guides the second shaft element of the supporting member, and thereby the supporting member swings to direct the swinging end upward. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container.

Thus, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body and the swinging end of the supporting member support the container stably. Moreover, since the second urging member urges the supporting member by way of the second retaining member so as to swing and direct the swinging end of the supporting member upward, the supporting member can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the preferred embodiment of the present cup holder can stably hold containers, which have various diameters.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end of the supporting member. Then, the supporting member's top surface contacts with the first retaining member. Accordingly, the contact point between the supporting member and the first retaining member makes a fulcrum about which the swinging end of the supporting member tries to swing upward and the retained end thereof tries to swing downward. Note that, in this instance, the second guide groove of the first retaining member guides first shaft element of the supporting member, thereby enabling the supporting member to swing and direct the retained end downward and enabling it to swing and direct the swinging end thereof upward. Therefore, the leading end of the supporting member's swinging end swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction (that is, upward). Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent through the opening of the holder body without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member.

On this occasion, note that, since the retained end of the supporting member presses the second retaining member downward, the second retaining member moves downward so that the second urging member accumulates an urging force therein. Accordingly, after the user has pulled the constricted container out of the present cup holder, the thus accumulated urging force of the second urging member urges the first shaft element of the supporting member so as to move within the second guide groove of the first retaining member, thereby swinging the supporting member to direct the retained end upward. Consequently, the supporting member is put in a substantially horizontal position, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the present cup holder.

(4) In addition, the present cup holder can preferably be arranged so that the first retaining member is formed as a frame shape, and is disposed detachably to the holder body; the supporting member moves between a retreated position, where it is housed in the first retaining member, and an advanced position, where it comes out of the first retaining member toward the accommodation dent of the holder body; the first urging member further urges the supporting member toward the advanced position; the cup holder further comprises a pressing member disposed inside the first retaining member, the pressing member moving between a pressing position, where the pressing member presses the first retaining member outward to flex the first retaining member, and a releasing position, where the pressing member releases the first retaining member from flexure; the first retaining member further has an engagement element engaging with the supporting member, which is located at the retreated position; and the pressing member disengages the engagement between the engagement element of the first retaining member and the supporting member when the pressing member moves to the pressing position.

The thus arranged present cup holder can accommodate a large-size container therein when detaching the first retaining member from the holder body. Moreover, note that the supporting member is locked at the retreated position in such a state that it is housed in the first retaining member. Accordingly, the first retaining member protects the supporting member, which is located at the retreated position. Consequently, when the thus arranged present cup holder holds a large-size container therein; or even when a certain external force is applied to the first retaining member, which is removed from the holder body; as far as the supporting member is locked at the retreated position, no excessive load is applied to the supporting member at all. Hence, the thus arranged present cup holder makes it possible to inhibit the supporting member from deforming or breaking.

When the pressing member moves to the pressing position, the pressing member flexes the first retaining member so that the pressing member disengages the engagement between the engagement element of the first retaining member and the supporting member. When the engagement element of the first retaining member disengages from the supporting element, the first urging member urges the supporting member to the advanced position. Therefore, by means of such a simple operation alone as moving the pressing member from the releasing position to the pressing position, the supporting member can be moved from the retreated position to the advanced position. That is, the thus arranged present cup holder makes it possible to move the supporting member from the retreated position to the advanced position with ease.

The thus arranged present cup holder can preferably be provided with any one of the following desirable arrangements (a), (b) and (c). Moreover, it can further preferably be provided with a plurality of the following first, second and third desirable arrangements (a), (b) and (c).

(a) The first retaining member can preferably further have a framed interval, which reduces from large to small in the moving direction of the pressing member away from the releasing position to the pressing position.

(b) The second urging member can preferably urge the pressing member toward the releasing position.

(c) The supporting member can preferably further have a pivotally-supported end, which is disposed pivotally to the first retaining member, and can preferably pivot about the pivotally-supported end, thereby moving between the retreated position and the advanced position, or vice versa.

When the present cup holder, which is arranged as described above, is further provided with the first desirable arrangement (a), it is possible to make the pressing member and the first retaining member with simplified constructions. Hence, it is possible to manufacture the present cup holder at furthermore reduced costs.

When the present cup holder, which is arranged as described above, is further provided with the second desirable arrangement (b), it is possible to readily move the supporting member from the advanced position to the retreated position, because the second desirable arrangement (b) makes the troublesome operation, moving the pressing member from the pressing position to the releasing position unnecessary.

When the present cup holder, which is arranged as described above, is further provided with the third desirable arrangement (c), it is possible to make the outer configuration of the first retaining member much smaller when the supporting member is located at the retreated position, because the supporting member swings to move between the retreated position and the advanced position, or vice versa. Accordingly, the first retaining member, which is detached from the holder body, can be made much less bulky. Consequently, the present cup holder can hold much larger containers therein.

Note that it is satisfactory that at least a part of the supporting member, which is located at the retreated position, can be housed in the first retaining member. Moreover, the entire supporting member, which is located at the retreated position, can be housed in the first retaining member, or a part of the supporting member can be exposed inside the accommodation dent of the holder body. When the entire supporting member, which is located at the retreated position, is housed in the first retaining member, the first retaining member can protect the entire supporting member. Thus, the first retaining member can inhibit the supporting member from deforming more securely.

Moreover, it is satisfactory that the supporting member can move between the retreated position and the advanced position, or vice versa. For example, the supporting member can slide between the retreated position and the advanced position, or can swing therebetween. As described above, the supporting member, which swings to move between the retreated position and the advanced position, can make the outer configuration of the first retaining member much smaller when the supporting member is located at the retreated position.

The pressing member is disposed inside the first retaining member movably between the pressing position and the releasing position, or vice versa. At the pressing position, the pressing member presses the first retaining member outward to flex it. At the releasing position, the pressing member exerts no pressing force or a reduced force to the first retaining member to release the flexed first retaining member from the flexure. Specifically, it is satisfactory that the pressing member and the first retaining member can contact with each other at the pressing position at least. Any way, it is satisfactory that the pressing member, which is located at the pressing position, can flex the first retaining member to such an extent that the engagement element of the first retaining element disengages from the supporting member. Moreover, it is satisfactory that the pressing member, which is located at the releasing position, can release the flexure of the flexed first retaining member to such an extent that the engagement element of the first retaining member can re-engage with the supporting member.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present cup holder will be described with reference to specific examples.

Example No. 1

FIG. 1 illustrates a cup holder according Example No. 1 of the present invention. The cup holder is disposed in an automotive console box to use.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention comprises a box-shaped holder body 1, a first retaining member 2, and two support members 3, 3. The holder body 1 has two accommodation dents 10, 10. The first retaining member 2 is disposed detachably to the holder body 1. The two supporting members 3, 3 are paired in the right/left direction in the drawing, and are disposed swingably to the first retaining member 2. Moreover, a container is to be fitted into the paired accommodation dents 10, 10, which are provided in the holder body 1, respectively. In addition, the holder body 1 is provided with paired vertical rails 11, 11, which are disposed to face to each other, in the middle thereof. Note that the accommodation dents 10, 10 are formed in such a size that can accommodate various large-diameter containers whose outside diameters are large variously.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first retaining member 2 comprises paired sides 20, 20, a bridge 21, and a bottom 22. The bridge 21 connects the tops of the paired sides 20, 20 to each other. The bottom 22 is disposed on the opposite side to the bridge 21, and is connected to the paired sides 20 at the opposite ends thereof, respectively. Moreover, the outside surface of the paired sides 20, 20 is provided with an engagement groove 23, respectively. The engagement grooves 23, 23 engage with the vertical rails 11, 11 of the holder body 1. Thus, the first retaining member 1 is disposed in the middle of the holder body 1 so as to divide the inside of the holder body 1 into the two accommodation dents 10, 10.

Moreover, the first retaining member 2 is further provided with a second retaining member 24. The second retaining member 24 can move between the bridge 21 and the bottom in the up/down direction. The surfaces of the paired sides 20, 20, which face to each other, are provided with two paired guide grooves 25, which extend in the up/down direction, respectively. The second retaining member 24 comprises two paired bosses 26, 26, which are formed on the opposite sides, respectively. The paired bosses 26, 26 protrude from the opposite sides of the second retaining member 24 to fit into the paired guide grooves 25, 25 of the first retaining member 2, respectively. Thus, the second retaining member 24 is made movable in the up/down direction. In addition, a coil spring 27 (i.e., a second urging member) is interposed between the first retaining member 2's bottom 22 and the second retaining member 24. The coil spring 27 urges the second retaining member 24 upward.

The paired supporting members 3, 3 comprise a swinging end 31, and a retained end 32, respectively. The swinging end 31 is formed at one of the opposite ends of the paired supporting members 3, 3 and has an arc-shaped supporting surface 30. The retained end 32 is disposed on the other opposite end of the paired supporting members 3, 3 with respect to the swinging end 31. The retained end 32 is provided with paired bosses 33, 33, which are disposed on the right and left sides of the paired supporting members 3, 3 in the drawing so as to protrude therefrom, respectively. The paired bosses 33, 33 engage with the paired guide grooves 25, 25 of the first retaining member 2 above the paired bosses 26, 26 of the second retaining member 24. Thus, the paired guide grooves 25, 25 of the first retaining member 2 guide the paired supporting members 3, 3, and make them movable in the up/down direction. In other words, the paired guide grooves 25, 25 engage with the paired bosses 3, 3 of the paired supporting members 3, 3, and then the paired bosses 26, 26 of the second retaining member 24 in this order from the top to the bottom. Moreover, a spring 34 (i.e., a first urging member) is interposed between the second retaining member 24 and one of the paired supporting members 3, 3 and between the same and the other one of the paired supporting members 3, 3, respectively. The springs 34, 34 urge the paired supporting members 3, 3 in such a direction that the swinging ends 31, 31 swing upward.

Therefore, when no load is applied to the second retaining member 24, the coil spring 27 places the second retaining member 24 in proximity to the bridge 21 of the first retaining member 2 as illustrated FIG. 4, for instance. Accordingly, the paired supporting members 3, 3 are held between the second retaining member 24 and the bridge 21 of the first retaining member 2. Moreover, the springs 34, 34 urge the paired supporting members 3, 3 so as to swing the swinging ends 31, 31 upward. However, the top surfaces of the paired supporting members 3, 3 contact with bridge 21 of the first retaining member 2. Consequently, the swinging ends 31, 31 of the paired supporting members 3, 3 are inhibited from swinging upward. All in all, the paired supporting members 3, 3 are positioned so that the swinging ends 31, 31 protrude substantially horizontally from the bridge 21 of the first retaining member 2 toward both accommodation dents 10, 10 in opposite directions to each other.

When a user holds a container with the thus constructed cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention, the bottom of the container presses one of the paired supporting member 3, 3, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Then, the supporting member 3 swings about the paired bosses 33, 33 so that the swinging end 31 swings downward. In this instance, one of the paired urging springs 34, 34 accumulates an urging force therein. When the user fits the container much deeper into one of the two accommodation dents 10, 10, the swinging end 31 of the supporting member 3 comes off from the bottom of the container if the container has a small diameter or an intermediate diameter. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the spring 34 swings the swinging end 31 of the supporting member 3 upward. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent 10, the supporting surface 30 of the supporting member 3's swinging end 31 moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container. Eventually, the container arrives at the bottom of the accommodation dent 10.

Thus, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body 1 and the swinging end 31 of the supporting member 3 support the container stably as illustrated in FIG. 4. Moreover, since the spring 34 urges the supporting member 3 by way of the second retaining member 24 so that the swinging end 31 tries to swing upward, the supporting member 3 can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention can stably hold containers, which have various diameters. Note that, when holding a container with a large diameter, the supporting member 3 can support such a container stably as well because the supporting member 3 can swing furthermore to direct the swinging end 31 furthermore downward so that the top surface of the supporting member 3, which is closer to the swinging end 31, contacts elastically with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter container.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end 31 of the supporting member 3. Then, the supporting member 3's top surface contacts with the bridge 21 of the first retaining member 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the contact point between the supporting member 3 and the first retaining member 2 makes a fulcrum about which the swinging end 31 of the supporting member 3 tries to swing upward. On the other hand, the retained end 32 of the supporting member 3 tries to swing downward about the fulcrum. At the same time, the paired bosses 33, 33 of the supporting member 3 move downward within the paired guide grooves 25, 25 of the first retaining member 2. Accordingly, the supporting member 3 presses the second retaining member 24 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 27. Consequently, the leading end of the supporting member 3's swinging end 31 swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction. Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1 without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member 3.

After the user has pulled the constricted container out of the cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention, the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 27 is transmitted to the retained end 32 of the supporting member 3 by way of the second retaining member 24. Accordingly, the retained end 32 of the supporting member 31 swings upward, and the swinging end 31 thereof swings downward. Consequently, the supporting member 3 is put in a substantially horizontal position, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the cup holder according to Example No. 1.

All in all, the cup holder according to Example No. 1 of the present invention enables a user to put even a container having a constriction thereinto and take it out thereof smoothly.

Example No. 2

Except that a cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention comprises a first retaining member 4, paired supporting member 5, 5 and paired second retaining member 6, 6, which are constructed differently from the first retaining member 2, paired supporting members 3, 3 and second retaining member 4 of the cup holder according to Example No. 1, the cup holder according to Example No. 2 is constructed in the same manner as the cup holder according to Example No. 1 is constructed. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first retaining member 4, similarly to the first retaining member 2 according to Example No. 1, comprises paired sides 40, 40, and a bridge 41. The bridge 41 connects the tops of the paired sides 40, 40 to each other. The outside surface of the paired sides 40, 40 is provided with an engagement groove 42, respectively. The engagement grooves 42, 42 engage with the vertical rails 11, 11 of the holder body 1. Moreover, the bottom surface of the bridge 41 is provided with paired rods 43, 43. The paired rods 43, 43 protrude downward from the bottom surface of the bridge 41. In addition, the inside surface of the paired sides 40, 40 is provided with paired guide grooves 44, 44, respectively. The paired guide grooves 44, 44 extend in the up/down direction, and the paired grooves 44, 44 of one of the paired sides 40, 40 face those of the other one of the paired sides 40, 40 to each other.

The paired supporting members 5, 5 comprise a swinging end 51, and paired arms 52, 52 (i.e., the retained end), respectively. The swinging end 31 has an arc-shaped supporting surface 50. The paired arms 52, 52 are disposed on the opposite end of the supporting members 5, 5 with respect to the swinging end 51, and protrude therefrom. The leading end of each of the paired arms 52, 52 is provided with a swing shaft 53 and a boss 54. The swing shaft 53 is disposed on the outside surface of the leading end of each of the paired arms 52, 52, and protrudes outward therefrom. The boss 54 is disposed on the inside surface of the leading end of each of the paired arms 52, 52, and protrudes inward therefrom. Moreover, the paired bosses 54, 54 are formed as a substantially oval shape, respectively. Note that, although FIG. 6 illustrates only one of the paired supporting members 5,5, the other one of them is formed as the same configuration as that of the illustrated one. The swing shafts 53, 53 of the paired supporting members 5, 5 engage with the guide grooves 44, 44 of the paired sides 40, 40 of the first retaining member 4. Thus, the paired supporting members 5, 5 are held to the first retaining member 4 movably in the up/down direction.

The paired second retaining members 6, 6 comprise paired steps 60, 60, respectively. One of the paired steps 60, 60 are disposed on one of the outside surfaces of the paired second retaining members 6, 6, and the other one of the paired steps 60, 60 are disposed on the other one of the outside surfaces of them. The paired bosses 54, 54 of the supporting member 5 engage with the paired steps 60, 60 of the second retaining member 6. Moreover, the paired second retaining members 6, 6 are provided with a through hole 61, respectively. One of the paired rods 43, 43 of the retaining member 4 is fitted into the through hole 61 of one of the paired second retaining members 6, 6, and the other one of the paired rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4 is fitted into the through hole 61 of the other one of them. Thus, the paired second retaining members 6, 6 are made movable in the up/down direction while being guided by the paired rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4. Note that, although FIG. 6 illustrates only one of the paired second retaining members 6, 6, which is to be assembled with one of the paired rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4, the other one of the paired second retaining members 6, 6, is formed as the same configuration as that of the illustrated one and is disposed so as to be assembled with the other one of the paired rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4.

Moreover, a coil spring 62 is disposed around the paired rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4, which penetrate through the through holes 61, 61 of the paired second retaining members 6, 6, respectively. A fastening pin 63 is fixed to the leading end of the rods 43, 43. Thus, the coil springs 62, 62 are interposed between the bottom surface of the second retaining members 6, 6 and the fastening pins 63, 63. The fastening pins 63, 63 inhibit the coil springs 62, 62 from moving. Specifically, the outside diameter of the coil springs 62, 62 is larger than the inside diameter of the through holes 61, 61. Accordingly, the coil springs 62, 62 are held between the fastening pins 63, 63 and the top wall of the second retaining members 6, 6. Consequently, the coil springs 62, 62 urge the second retaining members 6, 6 in such a direction that the second retaining members 6, 6 approach the bridge 41 of the first retaining member 4.

First of all, when the cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention is put in a neutral state, that is, when the accommodation dents 10, 10 of the holder body 1 hold no container therein, the coil springs 62, 62 urge the second retaining members 6, 6 to bring them into contact with the bridge 41 of the first retaining member 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this instance, the bosses 54, 54 of the supporting members 5, 5 are disposed parallelly to the steps 60, 60 of the second retaining members 6, 6. As a result, the supporting members 5, 5 are positioned substantially horizontally to protrude into the accommodation dents 10, 10. Note that the swing shafts 53, 53 of the supporting members 5, 5 are located at the top ends of the guide grooves 44, 44 of the first retaining member 4, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

When a user fits a container into one of the accommodation dents 10, 10 through one of the openings of the holder body 1, the bottom of the container presses the one of the supporting members 5, 5 to swing the swinging end 51 downward as illustrated in FIG. 9. Then, the bosses 54, 54 of the supporting member 5 press the steps 60, 60 of one of the second retaining members 6, 6. Accordingly, the second retaining member 6 descends while being guided by one of the rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4. Consequently, one of the coil springs 62, 62 accumulates an urging force furthermore therein. When the user fits the container much deeper into the accommodation dent 10, the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 comes off from the bottom of the container. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 62 moves the second retaining member 6 upward, and at the same time the supporting member 5 swings upward to take the substantially horizontal position shown in FIG. 8. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent 10, the leading end of the supporting member 5's swinging end 51 moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container.

Thus, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body 1 and the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 support the container stably. Since the coil spring 62 urges the supporting member 5 by way of the second retaining member 6, the supporting member 5 can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention can stably hold containers, which have various diameters. Note that, when holding a container with a large diameter, the supporting member 5 can support such a container stably as well because the supporting member 5 can swing furthermore to direct the swinging end 51 furthermore downward so that the top surface of the supporting member 5, which is closer to the swinging ends 51, 51, contacts elastically with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter container.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5. Then, the supporting member 5's top surface contacts with the bridge 41 of the first retaining member 4 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the contact point between the supporting member 5 and the first retaining member 4 makes a fulcrum about which the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 tries to swing upward. On the other hand, the paired arms 52, 52 of the supporting member 5 press the second retaining member 6 downward against the urging force of the coil spring 62, because the swing shafts 53, 53 descend within the guide grooves 44, 44 of the first retaining member 4 and at the same time the bosses 54, 54 move downward. Consequently, the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 swings upward. As a result, the leading end of the supporting member 5's swinging end 51 swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction. Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1 without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member 5.

After the user has pulled the constricted container out of the cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention, the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 62 raises the second retaining member 6. Then, steps 60, 60 of the second retaining member 6 press the bosses 54, 54 of the supporting member 5 upward. Accordingly, the swing shafts 53, 53 of the supporting member 5 ascend within the grooves 44, 44 of the first retaining member 4, and at the same time the arms 52, 52 of the supporting member 5 swing upward so that the swinging end 51 of swings the supporting member 5 downward. Consequently, the supporting member 5 takes a substantially horizontal position again, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the cup holder according to Example No. 2.

All in all, the cup holder according to Example No. 2 of the present invention enables a user to put even a container having a constriction thereinto and take it out thereof smoothly.

Example No. 3

Except that a cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention comprises a first retaining member 4 and paired supporting member 5, 5, which are constructed differently from the first retaining member 4 and paired supporting members 5, 5 of the cup holder according to Example No. 2, the cup holder according to Example No. 3 is constructed in the same manner as the cup holder according to Example No. 2 is constructed. Therefore, the component parts, which are the same in both cup holders according Example Nos. 2 and 3, will be hereinafter described while designating them with the same reference numerals as those of the cup holder according to Example No. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the paired supporting members 5, 5 of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention further comprise paired first shafts 55, 55, and paired second shafts 56, 56, respectively. The first shafts 55, 55 are disposed adjacent to the leading ends of the arms 52, 52, respectively, and protrude therefrom. The second shafts 56, 56 are disposed closer to the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 than the first shafts 55, 55 are disposed, and protrude therefrom. Note that the first shafts 55, 55 and second shafts 56, 56 protrude perpendicularly to the tangent of the swinging direction of the supporting member 5 three-dimensionally and parallelly to each other. Except for the above-described features, the supporting members 5, 5 of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 are constructed in the same manner as that of the cup holder according to Example No. 2; that is, the arms 52, 52 are held between the first retaining member 4 and the second retaining member 6; and the bosses 54, 54 contact with the steps 60, 60 of the second retaining member 6.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the sides 40, 40 of the first retaining member 4 are provided with a first guide groove 45 and a second guide groove 46, respectively. The first guide groove 45 guides the second shaft 56 of the supporting member 5. The second guide groove 46 guides the first shaft 55 of the supporting member 5. The first guide 45 is formed as an arc shape whose center is the top end of the second guide groove 46. The second guide 46 is formed as an arc shape whose center is the top end of the first guide groove 45.

First of all, when the cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention is put in a neutral state, that is, when the accommodation dents 10, 10 of the holder body 1 hold no container therein, the coil springs 62, 62 urge the second retaining members 6, 6 to bring them into contact with the bridge 41 of the first retaining member 4, as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this instance, the bosses 54, 54 of the supporting members 5, 5 are disposed parallelly to the steps 60, 60 of the second retaining members 6, 6. As a result, the supporting members 5, 5 are positioned substantially horizontally to protrude into the accommodation dents 10, 10. Note that the first shafts 55, 55 of the supporting members 5, 5 are located at the top ends of the second guide grooves 46, 46 of the first retaining member 4, and the second shafts 56, 56 of the supporting members 5, 5 are located at the top ends of the first guide grooves 45, 45 of the first retaining member 4, as shown in FIG. 13.

When a user holds a container with the thus constructed cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention, the bottom of the container presses one of the paired supporting member 5,5, as illustrated in FIG. 14. Then, the supporting member 5 swings about the first shafts 55, 55 while the second shafts 56, 56 are guided by the first guides 45, 45 of the first retaining member 4. Thus, the supporting member 5 swings to direct the swinging end 51 downward. Then, the bosses 54, 54 of the supporting member 5 press the steps 60, 60 of one of the second retaining members 6, 6. Accordingly, the second retaining member 6 descends while being guided by one of the rods 43, 43 of the first retaining member 4. Consequently, one of the coil springs 62, 62 accumulates an urging force furthermore therein. When the user fits the container much deeper into the accommodation dent 10, the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 comes off from the bottom of the container. Accordingly, the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 62 moves one of the second retaining members 6, 6 upward, and at the same time the supporting member 5 swings upward to take the substantially horizontal position shown in FIG. 12 or 13. Consequently, as the user fits the container into the accommodation dent 10, the leading end of the supporting member 5's swinging end 51 moves along the outer peripheral surface of the container.

Thus, the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body 1 and the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 support the container stably. Since the coil spring 62 urges the supporting member 5 by way of the second retaining member 6, the supporting member 5 can contact elastically with various containers with various diameters from small to large. Therefore, the cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention can stably hold containers, which have various diameters. Note that, when holding a container with a large diameter, the supporting member 5 can support such a container stably as well because the supporting member 5 can swing furthermore to direct the swinging end 51 furthermore downward so that the top surface of the supporting member 5, which is closer to the paired arms 52, 52, contacts elastically with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter container.

When a user pulls a container provided with a constriction out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1, the container's constriction applies an upwardly-moving force to the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5. Then, the second guide grooves 46, 46 of the first retaining member 4 guide the first shafts 55, 55 of the supporting member 5. Accordingly, the arms 52, 52 of the supporting member 5 swing downward about the second shafts 56, 56, and at the same time the swinging end 51 of the supporting member 5 swings upward, as shown in FIG. 15. Consequently, the leading end of the supporting member 5's swinging end 51 swings in such a direction that it separates away from the container's constriction. Thus, the user can pull out the constricted container out of the accommodation dent 10 through the opening of the holder body 1 without ever interfering the container's constriction with the supporting member 5.

In this instance, since the arms 52, 52 of the supporting member 55 swing downward so that the bosses 54, 54 press down the second retaining member 6 against the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 62. After the user has pulled the constricted container out of the cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention, the urging force accumulated in the coil spring 62 raises the second retaining member 6. Then, the first shafts 55, 55 of the supporting member 5 slide downward within the second guide grooves 46, 46 of the first retaining member while being guided by them. As a result, the arms 52, 52 of the supporting member 55 swing upward about the second shafts 56, 56, and simultaneously the swinging end 51 swings downward. Thus, the supporting member 5 takes a substantially horizontal position again, and is ready for the user's next round of operation for fitting the same or another container into the cup holder according to Example No. 3.

All in all, the cup holder according to Example No. 3 of the present invention enables a user to put even a container having a constriction thereinto and take it out thereof smoothly.

Note that, in the cup holder according to Example Nos. 1 through 3 of the present invention, the first retaining member 2 or 4 is disposed detachably to the holder body 1. However, the present cup holder is not limited to such a construction. The present cup holder can comprise a first retaining member, which is disposed integrally with a holder body, for instance. Moreover, the present cup holder cannot necessarily be disposed in a console box, but can be disposed at any location. That is, the location for disposing the present cup holder is not limited in particular.

Example No. 4

Except that a cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention comprises a first retaining member 2, a bottom 22 of the first retaining member 2 and paired supporting members 3, 3, which are constructed differently from those of the cup holder according to Example No. 1, the cup holder according to Example No. 4 is constructed in the same manner as the cup holder according to Example No. 1 is constructed. The component parts, which are the same in both cup holders according Example Nos. 1 and 4, will be hereinafter described while designating them with the same reference numerals as those of the cup holder according to Example No. 1.

A cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 16 through 21. Specifically, FIG. 16 is a perspective diagram for schematically illustrating the cup holder according to Example No. 4. FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective diagram for schematically illustrating a first retaining member 2, which is used for the cup holder according to Example No. 4. FIGS. 18 through 21 are explanatory diagrams for illustrating how the first retaining member 2 operates in the cup holder according to Example No. 4. Note that, in the following descriptions on the cup holder according to Example No. 4, the terms, “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “front” and “rear,” specify those “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “front” and “rear” designated in FIG. 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the first retaining member 2 comprises paired sides 20, 20. The paired sides 20, 20 are provided with two first bosses 28, 28, respectively. The first bosses 28, 28 are disposed at lower parts of the sides 20, 20, and are formed so as to protrude inward. Specifically, the first bosses 28, 28 are located adjacent to the right and left ends of the respective sides 20, 20. Thus, the first retaining member 2 comprises the first boss 28 in a quantity of four in total. The sides 20, 20 are provided with an inside surface, which faces to each other in the front/rear direction, respectively. Note that the inside surfaces of the sides 20, 20 are formed as an inclined shape, which tapers from large to small in the direction from the top to the bottom. To put it differently, the interval between the sides 20, 20 of the first retaining member 2 diminishes from large to small in the direction from the bottom to the top.

The supporting members 3, 3 comprise second bosses 35, 35, respectively. The second bosses 35, 35 are disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the supporting members 3, 3, and are disposed at an opposite end with respect to the pivotally-retained end of the supporting members 3, 3. Note that, when the supporting members 3, 3 swing, the second bosses 35, 35 are located at positions where they interfere and/or engage with the first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2.

Moreover, the sides 20, 20 of the first retaining member 2 are provided with paired guide grooves 25, 25, respectively, and are further provided with paired second guide grooves 29, 29, respectively. The second guide grooves 29, 29 are disposed under the guide groves 25, 25, respectively. In addition, the first retaining member 2 further comprises a bottom 22. The bottom 22 is provided with two paired right and left guide bosses 220, 220. The paired right and left guide bosses 220, 220 are disposed at the forward and rearward opposite ends of the bottom 20, respectively. Note that the paired right and left guide bosses 220, 220 engage with the paired second guide grooves 29, 29 of the first retaining member 2's sides 20, 20 and are disposed movably in the up/down direction within the second guide grooves 29, 29.

In the cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention, the paired supporting members 3, 3 swing about their pivotal-retained ends, respectively. Thus, the supporting members 3, 3 move between an advanced position shown in FIG. 18 and a retreated position shown in FIG. 19. When supporting members 3, 3 swing to the advanced position shown in FIG. 18, the cup holder according to Example No. 4 can hold a small-size container to accommodate it in the paired right and left accommodation dents 10, 10, as described in the cup holder according to Example No. 1.

When holding a large-size container or a container, which is likely to deform, to accommodate it in one of the paired right and left accommodation dents 10, 10 of the cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention, a user swings the paired supporting members 3, 3 downward. Then, both supporting members 3, 3 move to the retreated position shown in FIG. 19. In this instance, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the paired second bosses 35, 35 of the supporting members 3, 3 interfere and/or engage with the paired first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2. When the user swings both supporting members 3, 3 further downward so as to approach them to each other against the interference and/or engagement resistance, the first retaining member 2 deforms elastically so as to move the bottom ends of the paired sides 20, 20 away from each other. Then, the second bosses 35, 35 of the supporting members 3, 3 try to go over the first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2. When the user frees both supporting members 3, 3 upon noticing that the second bosses 35, 35 try to go over the first bosses 28, 28, the urging forces of the springs 34, 34 act onto the supporting members 3, 3 in such a direction that they move away from each other, that is, the springs 34, 34 urge the supporting members 3, 3 so as to direct their swinging ends upward. However, note that, as soon as the user frees the supporting members 3, 3, the first retaining member 2 deforms back elastically so as to approach the bottom ends of the paired sides 20, 20 to each other. Accordingly, the second bosses 35, 35 of the supporting members 3, 3 re-interfere and/or re-engage with the first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2. Consequently, the supporting members 3, 3 are inhibited from swinging when their second bosses 35, 35 re-interfere and/or re-engage with the first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2. Thus, the paired right and left supporting members 3, 3 are locked at the retreated position shown in FIG. 19.

Since the paired right and left supporting members 3, 3 are housed in the first retaining member 2, they do not interfere with a container, which is accommodated in the accommodation dents 10, 10 of the holder body 1. Accordingly, it is possible to accommodate large-size containers, or containers which are likely to deform, in the accommodation dents 10, 10. Moreover, since the first retaining member 2 protects both supporting members 3, 3, no excessive loads can be applied to them. Consequently, it is possible to inhibit the supporting members 3, 3 from deforming and being damaged. In addition, even when detaching the first retaining member 2 from the holder body 1, the first retaining member 2 inhibits the supporting members 3, 3 from deforming and being damaged more effectively because the first retaining member 2 protects the supporting members 3, 3 which are locked at the retreated position shown in FIG. 19.

On the other hand, when moving the paired right and left supporting members 3, 3 from the retreated position shown in FIG. 19 to the advanced position shown in FIG. 18, a user can fit his or her hand into one of the accommodation dents 10, 10 of the holder body 1 to press the bottom 22 of the first retaining member 2 upward. As the bottom 22 moves upward, the bottom 22 presses the paired sides 20, 20 of the first retaining member 2 outward to flex them in the directions as designated with the arrows of FIG. 21, because the interval between the sides 20, 20 diminishes gradually from large to small in the direction away from the bottom to the top. Eventually, the bottom 22 releases the interference and/or engagement between the paired second bosses 35, 35 of the supporting members 3, 3 and the paired first bosses 28, 28 of the first retaining member 2. Thus, the urging forces of the springs 34, 34 swing the supporting members 3, 3 upward to move them to the advanced position shown in FIG. 18.

Therefore, in the cup holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention, a user can put the paired right and left supporting members 3, 3 in the advanced state with ease by simply moving the bottom 22 of the first retaining member 2 from the releasing position to the pressing position manually.

In the holder according to Example No. 4 of the present invention, note that the coil spring 27 urges the bottom 22 of the first retaining member 2 downward, that is, toward the releasing position. Accordingly, when a user removes his or her hand off from the bottom 22, the bottom 22 moves to the releasing position automatically. Consequently, the bottom 22, which has moved to the releasing position, does not press the paired sides 20, 20 of the first retaining member 2 at all. Therefore, when the bottom 20 is located at the releasing position, the first retaining member 2 recovers from the flexure.

Having now fully described the present invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth herein including the appended claims. 

1. A cup holder, comprising: a holder body having a top surface provided with an opening through which a container comes in and comes out, a bottom surface, and an inner wall surface, the top surface, the bottom surface and the inner wall surface demarcating an accommodation dent which accommodates the container therein; a first retaining member disposed in the holder body; and a supporting member having a retained end, which is disposed swingably to the first retaining member, and a swinging end, which is disposed on an opposite side with respect the retained end, the supporting member for supporting a side surface of the container with the swinging end; the bottom surface and inner wall surface of the holder body and the swinging end of the supporting member supporting the container; the cup holder further comprising: a first urging member accumulating an urging force as the supporting member, which has been positioned substantially horizontally, swings to direct the swinging end downward, and the first urging member urging the supporting member so as to swing and direct the swinging end upward by the accumulated urging force; a second retaining member disposed movably to the first retaining member in an up/down direction, and having a top surface which contacts with the retained end of the supporting member; and a second urging member urging the second retaining member upward; the second retaining member descending upon being pressed by the retained end of the supporting member, thereby enabling the swinging end of the supporting member to swing in an up/down direction.
 2. The cup holder set forth in claim 1, wherein the supporting member further has a swing shaft to which the first urging member is disposed.
 3. The cup holder set forth in claim 1, wherein: the supporting member further has a shaft element, which protrudes from the retained end perpendicularly with respect to the tangent of the swinging direction of the supporting member three-dimensionally; the first retaining member has a guide groove, which extends in an up/down direction; the shaft element of the supporting member engages with the guide groove of the first retaining member, thereby disposing the supporting member to the first retaining member swingably and movably in an up/down direction; and the second urging member doubles as the first urging member.
 4. The cup holder set forth in claim 1, wherein: the supporting member further has a first shaft element, which protrudes from the retained end perpendicularly with respect to the tangent of the swinging direction of the supporting member three-dimensionally, and a second shaft element, which is disposed closer to the swinging end than the first shaft element is disposed and which protrudes parallelly to the first shaft element; and the first retaining member has a first groove for guiding the second shaft element of the supporting member, first groove which extends as an arc shape about the first shaft element of the supporting member when the supporting member is positioned substantially horizontally, and a second groove for guiding the first shaft element of the supporting member, second groove which extends as an arc shape about the second shaft element of the supporting member when the supporting member is positioned substantially horizontally; and the second urging member doubles as the first urging member.
 5. The cup holder set forth in claim 1, wherein: the first retaining member is formed as a frame shape, and is disposed detachably to the holder body; the supporting member moves between a retreated position, where it is housed in the first retaining member, and an advanced position, where it comes out of the first retaining member toward the accommodation dent of the holder body; the first urging member further urges the supporting member toward the advanced position; the cup holder further comprises a pressing member disposed inside the first retaining member, the pressing member moving between a pressing position, where the pressing member presses the first retaining member outward to flex the first retaining member, and a releasing position, where the pressing member releases the first retaining member from flexure; the first retaining member further has an engagement element engaging with the supporting member, which is located at the retreated position; and the pressing member disengages the engagement between the engagement element of the first retaining member and the supporting member when the pressing member moves to the pressing position.
 6. The cup holder set forth in claim 5, wherein the first retaining member further has a framed interval, which reduces from large to small in the moving direction of the pressing member away from the releasing position to the pressing position.
 7. The cup holder set forth in claim 5, wherein the second urging member urges the pressing member toward the releasing position.
 8. The cup holder set forth in claim 5, wherein the supporting member further has a pivotally-supported end, which is disposed pivotally to the first retaining member, and pivots about the pivotally-supported end, thereby moving between the retreated position and the advanced position, or vice versa.
 9. The cup holder set forth in claim 5, wherein the first retaining member comprises a bottom, which functions as the pressing member.
 10. The cup holder set forth in claim 5, wherein the first retaining member comprises paired sides, which function as the engagement element. 